Alumni Stories

Sep10

Class of'

Statement from the Archdiocese of New York

September 10, 2018 | 9:41 am

Statement from the Archdiocese of New York

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Dear Alumni,

In October 2016, the Archdiocese of New York launched the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP), to assist victim-survivors of sexual abuse by a priest or deacon of the archdiocese achieve a sense of resolution and healing for the suffering they have endured. Although the IRCP is administered by outside experts, Mr. Ken Feinberg and Ms. Camille Biros, the archdiocese also pledged that, if an allegation of abuse was brought concerning a priest or deacon who was still alive but had no previous complaints about him, the allegation would be reported to the proper District Attorney for whatever action they wished to take; it would also be handled according to archdiocesan protocol and procedure, which includes an investigation by an independent team of investigators, all former Federal agents, and reviewed by the Archdiocesan Lay Review Board, made up of judges and other attorneys, psychiatrists and psychologists, parents, child care experts, and others, who would render a decision on whether the allegation was credible and substantiated.

During the IRCP process, allegations of abuse were brought against Msgr. John Meehan, who served here at Cardinal Hayes High School from 1978 – 1985; 2011 – 2017. The Lay Review Board has concluded that the allegations were credible and substantiated. Msgr. Meehan has been suspended, and may not function or present himself as a priest. The Holy See will decide an appropriate penalty, which could include dismissal from the clerical state or imposing a life of prayer and penance. However, it is certain that Meehan will never serve as a priest again.

If anyone has any allegations or concerns about Msgr. Meehan, please contact the Bronx District Attorney. We also encourage you to contact our Victim Assistance Coordinator at victimsassistance@archny.org, so that we might also offer our support to you.